Electrical measuring device



Sept. 7, 1943.

lefc/vara Ml exkzae.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patentecl Sept. 7, 1943 to Westinghouse Electric is I Manlifiaclilllfing Company, East Pittsburgh, .Pa.-, a corporation of Pennsylvania,

- Asa-am .sememrer 17, 1941, saw Narnia) 6 Claims, (01. 1171-264) such as watts, vars and volt-amperes, it is common practice to employ induction type measuring instruments. These instruments may be re lays, indicating instruments, recording instruments or integrating'meters. As a specific ex.- ample of this class of electrical instruments, reference may be made to a watt-hour meter.

In a conventional watt-hour meter, voltage and current windings are employed for producing a magnetic field .in an .air gap provided in an associated magnetic structure. An -eleotro=- conductive armature is .positioned in the air gap for rotation .by the shifting magnetic field.

In order to assure a proper phase relation ship between flux produced by the voltage Wind ing whichmay be termed .a voltage flux, and flux produced by the current windings which may be termed a current flux, it is the practice to associate with the voltage winding a closed winding which isknown as a quadrature or lag loop. When such a watt-hour meter is properly adjusted for operation at a predetermined temperature,witiaccurately measures the energy flowing through an. associated electric circuit. 7

Because of certain variables such asthe :temperature coefiicients of resistance and permeability of electroconductive and magnetic mate rials, a watt-hour meter calibrated for a predetermined temperature may operate incorrectly at other temperatures. Inconventional watt-hour meters one ofthe effects of temperature variation is to destroy the proper phase relationship between current and voltage :fluxes.

.To compensate phase or inductive relation.- ships in a watt-l1our meter. for temperature changes, various expedients havebeen adopted. According :to .one .of these expedients a magnetic circuit .or path having a negative temperature coefficient of permeability is established around the quadrature or lag loop. When the temper ature of .a Watt-hour meter compensated in this manner varies, the variation in Permeability of the'magnetic :circuit path is in such a direction as tomaintain the proper phase relationship between the voltage and current fluxes.

-For various reasons such as variaticns in materials and variations resulting from manuiacturing tolerances, a quadrature or lag loop prood fpr adjusting a fixed Quadrature ,or' lag 112019 to a specific watt-hour meter has neon ava ab Consequently the meter manufacturer has forced to adopt paricut and try method of fittin a quadrature and l loop to a watt-2110 2 mallet, or he has resigned himself to .the errors result: ing from .the utilization .of a fixed Quadratu e or lag loop, I

In accordance with the invention. an unmet: able magnetic circuit .or path is provided nor magnetic flux produced icy .c'orrent showing through a quadrature .or glag loop. lByasuitable adjustment of the reluctance of the ma netic circuit or path .the quadrature 'or'iae loop porreetion may :be yaried rto suit individual "watt hour meters. Moreover, 1a nontionpf the ma? tonal employed in themagnetic .mcuit sir-path possesses a negative temperature .coefiicient oi permeability, a single magnetic circuit .or path serves. not .only for adjustment .pm'poses :but for inductive temperature .compensation.

It .is therefore an object or the-invention to provldea walttahour :meter thatamav :be read ly calibrated. l I

'It isa further object .of the invention to FPIlOr vide an adjustable magnetic circuit or path afor magnetic produced by. current flowing through the quadrature .or leg zloop .of @a matt hour meter. y,

"it is .a still further object ioi the .inventionrto provide .a .wattriiour meter having 311 1 adj-shame magnetic .circuit .or path for magnetic pro.- duced .by .current tfipwing :throueh the .ouadrar ture or lag loop of the watt lnour meterand 1118137.: inga portion .of the magnetic circuigt .or path formed of .a material suitable :for compensating the Watt-hour meter zfor temperature mesmnsille variations-in phase relationships.

:Qther objects .of the-invention Millrbe apparent from the following description .talcen dmconiunmtion withnthe accompanying drawingin :WQiQhs:

Figure 1 isayiewinfront .elevationnf await.- hour meter embodying the invention.

Rig. 2: is a detailview takenza'longithe iineflile; of Fig. 1.

iFtis. 31s a view "in side elevatio o :e martian of the structure .shoyvn in Big. and

7 fig. ;4;is;a plan-view showing a mod fication ofithe. structure-shown -in 12.

Referring to the drawing, 1mg. 11 shows an .ing 6.

hour meter. This watt-hour meter includes a magnetic core I which, in accordance with standard practice, may be formed of a plurality of laminations of soft steel or iron. The magnetic core I includes a voltage pole 2 and current poles 3 and I which are positioned to define an air gap within which an electroconductive armature or disk 5 is ,mounted for rotation. Magnetic flux which may be termed a voltage flux is produced in the voltage pole 2 by means of a voltage windtermed a current flux is produced in the current coils 3 and 4 by means of current windings I and 8. These current windings 'I' and 8 may be connected in series and reversely related so that the instantaneous direction of current flux flow is downwardly in one of the current poles and upwardly in the remaining current pole.

By inspection of Fig. 1, it will be observed that the magnetic core I includes projections 9 and II] which are separated from the voltage pole 2 by small air gaps. Because of this construction, the magnetic circuit for the voltage winding 6 assures a high inductance for the winding.

As well understoodin the art, voltage flux produced by'the voltage winding 6 may be divided into a first portion which passes from the voltage pole 2 across the air gap to the current poles 3 and 4; The remainder of the voltage flux passes through the projections 9 and Iii. A portion of the current flux passes between the current poles-3 and 4 through the air gap wherein the flux cuts the armature 5. Additional current flux passes between each of the current poles 3 and 4 and a depending portion 9A or IflA of the corresponding projection 9 or I0.

' Typical connections for the windings of the watt-hour meter are illustrated in Fig. 1. For example, the voltage winding 6 may be connected for energization in accordance with the voltage of anxelectrical alternating current circuit II. The current. windings I and 8 may be connected in series for energization in accordance with current flowing through the circuit II.

. Since the current windings I and 8 are energized inaccordance with current flowing in the circuit II, the current flowing in the'windi'ngs land 8 and the flux produced in the current coils 3 "and 4 by. such current are substantially in phase with the current flowing in the circuit II. However, the voltage flux produced in the .volt age pole 2 .by the current flowing in the voltage coil Bis not in phase with voltage applied to the voltage winding 6. This is for the reason that the voltage winding 6 has a large number of turns and is associated with a magnetic circuit formed by portions of the magnetic core I which provide a high inductive reactance for the voltage I winding 6. For this reason the current flowing through the Voltage winding 6 and the voltage flux produced by such current lags substantially behind the voltage applied to the voltage winding fi. Consequently, if the circuit II isoperating at unity power factor, the voltage and current fluxes in the magnetic core I are substantially out of phase.

Because of the phase and space displacements of the voltage and current fluxes a shifting magnetic field is produced in the air gap within which the armature 5 is positioned. As well understood in the art, such a shifting magnetic field produces a torque acting on the armature 5 to producev rotation thereof. In accordance with standard practice, a damping magnet (not shown) may be provided for damping rotation Similarly magnetic flux which may be of the armature 5. Also, a saturating conventional magnetic shunt I2 may be installed between the current poles 3 and 4 for compensating for the series damping produced in the armature 5 by the current flux. A portion of the current flux passes between the current poles 3 and 4 through the shunt I2. I

As previously pointed out, the voltage flux produced by the voltage winding 6 lags substantially the voltage applied to the voltage winding 5. However, the voltage flux is not exactly in quadrature with the voltage applied to the voltage winding 6. This is for the reason that the voltage winding 6 possesses some resistance which makes the angle of lag of the voltage flux somewhat less than behind the voltage applied to the winding.

Proper phase relationship between the voltage and current fluxes is provided by a closed winding I3 of one or more turns which is positioned to enclose aportion of the voltage flux which passes through the air gap containing the armature 5. In the specific example of Fig. 1 it will be assumed that the closed winding I3, which is known as a quadrature or lag loop, consists of one turn. Conveniently this lag loopmaybe formed by cutting or punching a single turn from a sheet of electroconductive material such as copper or bronze.

The lag loop I3 operates somewhat similarly to 'a closed secondary winding of a transformer wherein the primary winding consists of the voltage winding 6. The voltage flux which passes through the lag loop I3 induces a voltage in the closed, lag loop which, in turn, forces .a current around the lag loop. Since the, lag loop i3 provides an impedance which is substantially resistant, current flowing through the lag loop is substantially in phasewith the voltage induced therein. The phase relationship of magnetic flux produced by current flowing through the lag loop I3 to the voltage flux which passes through the lag loop is such that the resulting flux which passes into the air gap containing r the armature 5 may be brought into quadrature with the voltage across the voltage winding 6.

By proper proportioning of the lag loop I3, as previously explained, the voltage and current fluxes in the air gap may be brought into; exact quadrature whenthe circuit II operates at unity power factor, and into exact phase with each other when the circuit l I'operates at zero power factor. For intermediate power factors, the phase relationship between thecurrent and voltage fluxes will have the correct value. This relationship of magnetic fluxes is correct, however, for only a predetermined temperature. ,In practice, it is found necessary to employ materials which have substantial temperature coefiicients of resistance and sometimes of' per-. meability. For example, the voltage winding 6 customarily is formed of alarge number of turns of fine copperwire. Since copper wirehas a substantial positive temperature. coeflioient of resistance, it follows that as the temperature of the watt-hour meter rises, the resistance'of voltage winding t3 also increases. The increase. of resistance of the voltage winding decreases the angle of lag of current flow in the voltage winding with relationship to voltage applied to the voltage Winding. Such a variation destroys the quadrature relationship between voltage and cur rent fluxes in the air gap containing the armature 5 when the circuit I l operates at unity power factor, i i i If the temperatureofi the watt -hour meter .increases abovethe predetermined value for which the watt-hour meteris calibrated, it is necessary that the lag loop [3 produce an increasedlag ging efiectif the proper phase relationship be tween voltage and current'fluxes is to be main-'1' t ained. However, the quadrature or lag loop 13 generally is-formed of copper or bronze which have positive temperature coefiicientsof resist. ance. watt-hour meterincreases the resistance of the lag loop I3 also increases, and a current flowing therethroughconsequently decreases. For this reason, the lagging efiect of the lagloop [3 decreases with an increasing temperature which is opposite to the effect required to maintain proper calibration of the watt hour meter. i

To maintainproper calibration of the 'watthour meter over a wide range of temperature, a magnetic path or circuit having a negative temperature coefficient of permeability may be provided ior magnetic flux produced by current flowing in the lag loop l3. Such a magnetic path or circuit increases the inductance of the lag loop 13 somewhat at low temperatures. As the temperature of the watt hour meter increases, the permeability of the magnetic path or circuit provided aroundthe lagloop 13 decreases. The resulting increase in the reluctance of the mag netic path or circuit. reduces the inductance-0f the lag loop i3 and permits a larger current to flow therethrough for a. fixed induced voltage. The increase in current increases the lagging cifect of the lag loop l3 which is. desired to marlntain proper phase relationships between thew/citage and current fluxes a the temperature of the' watt-hour meter increases. Consequently, by pr p r propor ionine. of the 12s loop 13 and the. magn i path or circuit'therefor, the desired phase relationship betweencurrent and voltage fluxes may be maintained were large tempera.- ture range. i

The structure shown in Fig. lwh-ich' has thus, far been described in detail is well known inthe art. Consequently a further description of its onera-ticn. is believed. unnecessary. a

In the construction of watt-hour meters. vari -i ous factors aficct the. final calibration thereof. For example; variations in the electrical or mag; netic properties of the. materials employed the Watt-hour meter and variations in dimensions resulting from, manufacturing tolerances contribute to aslzlght variation in the resulting per formence. of the watt-hour meter. In the prior art, constructions, the fixed nature of the. lag. loop and of the associated magnetic path hav inc a negative temperature coefiicient of permeability precluded aconvenient calibration to. c0mpensate for the aforesaid manufacturing variaticns.

In order to permit calibration of a. watt-hour meter, a lag loop i3 is providedwitha magnetic circuit or path which may be conveniently ad justed. Tms magnetic path. may take. the'form at a block M- of magnetic material having, slot for the: reception. 0t an-arrn of the. la loop. 13-. The magnetic or circuit may be, come pleted by a machine screw 16 which is in thread-, ed en gement with threads! 1 pr vi ed adiaent the external end of theslot it. By inspection of the it will: be observed that the screw It sar'vtcs to bridge; the open end or the slot 5. The extent at the bridging action of: the screw lit is determined by the extent towhich the screw I6 is introduced into the slot 1 5-. 1 This- Consequently, as the temperature of the extent is reaclilycontrolled'by rotation of the screw Hi to advance or remove it relative tothe block l4. By proper control of the materials employed for the screw it and the block I4, various eifects maybe obtained. For example, if the block H and the screw J 6 areboth fcrmedof a magnetic material such as soft'iron having substantially a zero temperature coeflicient of permeability, adjustment of the screw l6 merely varies the ime pedance of the loop l3. Such variation inimpedance may be employed for varying the lagging eifect of the loop 13 to calibrate the watthour meter. As previously explained, an increase in the impedance in the loop l3 increases its lag ging effect. a T

If either the block it or the screw J6, or both ofthese elements, areiormed of a magnetic Inat'erial having a negative temperature coefliclent or" permeabilitythe. magnetic circuit or path formed by the block and the screw serves to compensate the watt-hour meter for variations in phase between the .voltage. and current fluxes resulting from changes in temperature. At the same time adjustment of the screw 15 relative tothe block M serves to calibrate the watt-hour meter to compensate for variations in phase displacements between current and voltage fluxes resulting from variations in materials or dimem sions In a preferred embodiment of the 'mvention, the block I4 is constructed of a material having a negative temperature coefficient of permeability. Such material is well known in the art and may be formed of a well known nickel-iron alloy having nickel and suitably heat treated; In this embodiment, the screw [9 i fornicate! a material having a small or no temperature coefiicient of permeability, such as a suitable soft iron or mild steel. With such a construction an adequate range of adjustment is provided.

In Fig.4 a somewhat modified construction is shown. This constructioni'ncludes a quadrature or lag loop I3'A which is somewhat similar to the lag loop l'3 of Figs. 1 and 2. The lag loop 1 includes additional'lcops l8 and ldwh-i-ch sub round the depending portion-s 9A and IA of projections 9 and I0. Since the projections M and IDA carry current the lag loop 13A serves not only to lag the voltage fi'owmg through the tip of the voltage pole 2, but it also serves-to lag thecurrent flux flowing through the depending portions 9A and MA. Cionso-j quently, the additional loops f8 and is: may designed to cooperate in providing adequate l n ductive temperature compensation for the meter.

The lag loop [3A also includes a magnetic pathor circuit having a block HA which corresponds to the block M. This block WA, if desired, may abut the Voltage pole 2; In this position of the block 14A the iron of the voltage pole 2' may form a part of the magnetic circuit or path defined by the block MA.

The block MA is similar to the block l4 except that the block MA is provided witha smooth bore HA instead of the threaded bore ll of Figs; '2 and 3. At each end of the bore liA, the block I 4A is provided with a suitable non-magnetic disk which is conveniently formed of brass. Brie of these disks 20 is threaded for thereception of a machine screw 22 which conveniently maybe of a non-magnetic material such as brass: A look nut 22A is provided for the machinescrew 22. The remaining disk 2| is provided w-i-tlt u centrally disposed opening 23 for the reception at a magnetic-rod 24 having. a threaded opening 25 atfione'end. for thereception of thev machine screw 22. By rotation of the rod 24 relative to the screw '22, the rodv 24 may be advanced or withdrawn relative to the block M. The disks 20 andZl maybe attached to the block MA in any suitable manner as by soldering. Alternatively the machine screw 22 may b rigidly attached to the. magnetic rod, 24. Rotation of the rod and machine screw as a unit then serves to adjust the rod'relative to the threaded disk 20. As in' the case of Fig. 2, the block MA and the rod 24 may be both of soft iron having a low temperature coeflicientof permeability, or both may be of an alloy havinga high temperature coeificient of permeability. In a preferred embodiment, however, the block MA is formed of a magnetic material having a high temperature coefficient of a permeability such as the well known nickel-iron alloy, and the rod 24 is formed of a soft iron or mild steel having little or no temperature coefficient of permeability.

If desired, the rod 24 may be substantially in contact with the block MA. However, a somewhat greater range of adjustment is obtained if the block 24 is spaced lightly from the block MA. This spacing may be obtained by forming the rod 24 somewhat smaller in diameter than the diameter of the bore HA. The opening 23 in the disk 2| is adjusted to receive snugly the rod 24 and to space the rod 24 from the walls of the bore |;1A., l o I .7

Although the invention has been described withreference to certain embodiments thereof; numerous modification are possible. Therefore the invention is to be restricted only by the appended claims.

v I claim as myinvention;

1. In an alternating current responsive instrumentality, an electromagnet unit comprising a magnetic structure, means for producing a first magnetic flux insaid magnetic structure, means for producing a second magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and means for establishinga predetermined phase relationship between said magnetic fluxes, said last-named meansrincluding an electroconductiveclosed winding positioned to surround a portion of said magnetic fluxesjfor varying the phase relationship of saidportion of: said magnetic fluxes relative toth remainder thereof, and adjustable means establishing, a magnetic path for, magnetic flux produced by. current flowing in said closedwinding', said; last-named means including. relatively movable magnetic parts for adjusting the magnetic reluctance of said magnetic path, said adjustable means comprising elements for producing relative movement between said magnetic parts. r l

, 2. In an alternating current responsive instru mentality, anv electromagnet unit normally subject to a temperature error, said electromagnet comprising a magnetic structure having an air gap, means associated with said magnetic structure for producing a shifting magnetic' fleld in said air gap, said means including voltage and current windings for producing, respectively, voltage and current responsiv magnetic fluxes in said magnetic'structure, and means for maintaining a phase relationship between said magnetic fluxes bearing a, predetermined relation to the energization of said windings, said last named means including an electroconductive closed winding positioned to surround a partpi; said magnetic fluxes for varying thephas relatio-m; ship thereof relative to theremainderofsaid magnetic fluxes, and means compensating said temperature error, comprising means having relatively movable magnetic parts for establishing, a magnetic path for magnetic flux produced by current flowing in said closed winding, said lastnamed means including magnetic material having a substantial temperature coeificient of permeability designed, to compensate for the normal temperatureerror of said electromagnet unit, and adjusting means operable for adjusting the reluctance of said magnetic path, said adjusting means comprising means for producing relative movement between said magnetic parts.

. 3. In analternating current measuring instrumentality, an electromagnet unit comprising a magnetic structure having an air gap, an electroconductive armature mounted'for rotation in said air gap, a voltage winding for producing a magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and air gap, a current winding for producing a magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and air gap, said magnetic fluxes cooperating to produce a shifting magnetic field in said air gap for rotating said armature, and an electroconductive closed winding positioned to enclose at least part of one of said magnetic fluxes for establishing a resultant predetermined phase relationship between said magnetic fluxes in said air gap for any given energization of said windings, said phase relationship normally being subject to a temperature error dependent on the materials employed for said electromagnet unit, and means for maintaining said predetermined phase relationship over a substantial temperature range, said last-named means comprising relatively movable magnetic parts, including material having a negative temperature coefficient of permeability, establishing a magnetic path .for magnetic flux pro duced by current flowing in said closed winding, and manually operable adjusting means for adjusting the reluctance of said magnetic path, said adjusting mean comprising means for producing relative movement between said magnetic parts.

4. In an alternating current induction measuring instrumentality of the type comprising an electromagnet unit, said unit including a magnetic structure having an air gap, an electroconductive armature mounted for rotation in said air gap, a voltage winding for producing a magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and air gap, at current winding for producing a magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and air gap, said magnetic fluxes cooperating to produce a shifting magnetic field in said air gap for rotatin said armature, and an lectroconductive closed winding positioned to enclose at least part ofone' of said magnetic fluxes for establishing a resultant predetermined phase relationship between said magnetic fluxes in said air gap for any given energization of said windings, said phase relationship normally being ubject to a temperature error dependent on the materials employed for said electromagnet unit; temperature compensating means for maintaining said predetermined phase relationship over a substantial temperature range, said temperature compensating means including a magnetic circuit for magnetic flux produced by current flowing in said closed winding, said magnetic circuit including a pair of relatively movable magnetic portions adjustable for varying the reluctance of said magnetic circuit, at least one of said portions including magnetic material having a negative temperature coeflicient of permeability.

5. In an alternating current inductance measuring instrumentality of the type comprising an electromagnet unit, said unit including a magnetic structure having an air gap, an electroconductive armature mounted for rotation in said air gap, a voltage winding for producing a magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and air gap, a current winding for producing a magnetic flux in said magnetic structure and air gap, said magnetic fluxes cooperating to produce a shifting magnetic field in said air gap for rotatin said armature, and an electroconductive closed winding positioned to enclose at least part of one of said magnetic fluxes for establishing a predetermined phase relationship between said magnetic fluxes in said air gap for any given energization of said windings, said phase relationship normally being subject to a temperature error dependent on the materials employed for said electromagnet unit; temperature compensating means for maintaining said predetermined phase relationship over a substantial temperature range, said temperature compensating means including a magnetic circuit for magnetic flux produced by current flowing in said closed winding, said magnetic circuit including a pair of relatively movable magnetic portions adjustable for varying the reluctance of said magnetic circuit, said magnetic portions being spaced from each other by a non-magnetic gap, and screw means for moving one of said portions relative to the other of said portions, at least one of said portions including magnetic material having a negative temperature coeflicient of permeability.

6. In an alternating current measuring device,

an electromagnet unit comprising a magnetic structure having an air gap, means associated with said magnetic structure for producing a shifting magnetic field in said air gap, said means including a voltage winding for producing a first magnetic flux in said air gap, and a cur rent winding for producing a second magnetic flux in said air gap, and mean for maintaining a phase relationship between said magnetic fiuXes bearing a predetermined relation to the energization of said windings, said last-named means including an electroconductive member having a first portion surrounding at least part of said first magnetic flux, said electroconductive member having a second portion surrounding at least part of said second magnetic flux, and means establishing a substantially closed magnetic path for magnetic flux produced by current flowing in said electroconductive member, said magnetic path comprising a plurality of relatively movable magnetic parts for adjusting the magnetic reluctance of said magnetic path, said magnetic path including magnetic material having a substantial negative temperature coeificient of permeability.

RICHARD M. LEIPPE. 

